Mark Calaway brushed the shoulders of Adam Copeland. "Be sure to look after Lord Christopher. A place like that can be… a bit dangerous for a member of the gentry. Remember what I taught you."
"I will, Sir. Disarm, if I can and get him to safety." Adam spoke just as seriously. No one in the house knew that Lord Christopher went to the orphanage three days a week. He knew Chris would be very safe there.
"Good boy. I do hope you enjoy it though. I bet those little mites would love to hear one of your stories, if you get the chance." Mark gave Adam's shoulders a final brush.
"I hope so. Well, I'd better go. Lord Christopher will be ready soon. Bye, Sir." Adam smiled at Mark. He had to bite back his excitement.
Judy came out of the kitchen to speak to her son. "Be good, be alert and enjoy it."
"I will, ma. See you this afternoon." Adam kissed his mother, then hurried out to the mews.
Judy smiled after her son. "He is going to want to bring home every orphan. I am surprised that Lord Christopher has an interest."
Mark looked at Judy. He leaned in to barely whisper in her ear. Judy's hand went over her mouth as he spoke. She couldn't believe what Mark had just told her.
"No, I promise, Mark. Not a word. I had no idea. Good for him. Now, we have time for tea before luncheon." Judy went to the kitchen to see about their tea.
Adam waved to Jason as he got to the mews. Peppermint and Highflyer stood saddled and ready to go. Adam went to Peppermint and patted the older mare's nose.
"Good morning, Peppermint. Did my silly brother give you a good breakfast?" Adam gave her another pat.
Peppermint gave a soft nicker as if to answer Adam. Highflyer gave a snort as well. Adam stretched out his hand to Highflyer.
Jason was about to tell Adam to watch out, but Highflyer let Adam pat his nose. "Even I can't do that. He barely lets me groom him without trying to bite me." He spoke softly as not to spook the horses.
Before anymore could be said, Lord Christopher came out of the house and walked towards them. "Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you, Reso for having the horses ready. So, are you ready to go, Copeland?" Lord Christopher spoke formally. He knew it was better that way.
"Yes, Milord." Adam gave Chris a nod. He waited as Jason held on to Highflyer's headstall as Lord Christopher mounted the stallion. He quickly settled into the saddle and gathered the reigns in his hands.
Jason then held onto Peppermint's headstall as Adam vaulted into the saddle. He settled himself and took the reigns in hand.
"See you later, Jay." Adam spoke as he gave Peppermint a gentle kick. The mare began to follow after Highflyer and his rider.
Once they were down the road, out of sight of the house, Christopher pulled Highflyer up to let Adam and Peppermint catch up. When Adam was next to him, Chris rode side by side with the Footman.
"I'm glad Mister Calaway let you come with me. You are going to love the children." Chris spoke with a smile.
Adam laughed a bit. "I am here as your bodyguard, or so he thinks. I am looking forward to it. Ma said I should tell them a story. Oh, did you bring the dress for Melanie?" He looked over at the handsome tawny blond Lord.
"I have to pick it up. I told you about the washerwoman. She lives very close to the orphanage. The children would love to hear one of your stories. Seth loves it when you tell the twins the one about that Ella girl." Chis gave him a smile.
"Cinderella. It is my favorite, along with Little Red Riding Hood. But, that story is a bit too scary for the little Master and Mistress." Adam spoke as they trotted down the road.
Chris laughed. "The big, bad wolf chasing the little girl. Yes, that one is a bit much for babies. You know, maybe I am the big, bad wolf, and I can chase a pretty blond Footman." Chris made his meaning very clear, with a wiggle of his brows.
Adam flushed and ducked his head. "Milord, that…" He simply did not know what to say.
Chris quickly noticed how uncomfortable he'd made Adam. "I am sorry, Adam. I should not have said that. I just find you… very attractive. Class does not matter to me. I see a handsome man, not a servant." He spoke honestly, Chris wished Adam felt the same way.
Adam looked at Chris. He could see the total honesty in the man's striking blue eyes. Could he dare let Chris know he felt the same way. He decided, no matter what, he could not admit he felt the same.
Chris just left it alone when Adam stayed silent. He didn't want to spoil the day for any one or any reason.
After a few miles of riding, Chris spoke again. "The washerwoman is just up here." He pulled Highflyer to a slow walk. Adam did the same with Peppermint. He was curious. He'd never been to a washerwoman's place before.
Chris pulled his stallion to a stop in front of a small cottage that sat at the end of a green area. Lines of clothes, hung up to dry, crossed the large side yard. A middle aged woman sat on a bench. She scrubbed a cloth against a washboard, in a huge tub of very soapy water.
"Ah! Christopher, my dear boy. I have the dress ready for you. Elizabeth!" The washerwoman called loudly toward the cottage.
Chris dismounted and wrapped the reigns around the hitching post in front of the cottage. He indicated for Adam to do the same The blond dismounted and tied Peppermint to the post.
Chris opened the gate and held it open for Adam. Adam entered the yard. The smell of lovely, fresh, clean laundry filled his nose. Chris led Adam to where the washerwoman sat.
"Hello, Miss Martha. This my friend, Adam. Adam this is Miss Martha." Chris made the introduction.
"Pleased to meet you ma'am." Adam tipped the hat he wore as a mark of respect.
Martha smiled. "Oh yes, Christopher has told me about you. Nice to meet you, Adam. Thank you, dear. This is my daughter, Elizabeth. This is Christopher's friend, Adam." Martha introduced her daughter. It was obvious the young woman was not… right. She was mentally challenged with what people would later call, Down Syndrome.
"Peased to meeth uoo, Adman." Elizabeth spoke in her own special way as she had a few missing teeth.
Adam smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Elizabeth." He admired the fact that Martha didn't hide her daughter away like most people would have.
"Heerth, de thess, Cwiss." Elizabeth held out a neatly wrapped brown paper package, tied with a lovely bow. Elizabeth smiled happily.
Chris took the package. "Thank you, Elizabeth. You wrapped it beautifully. Here, don't spend it all on candy." He put a couple of coins in the girls hand.
Elizabeth clutched the coins tightly. "Fank uoo, Cwiss." She happily ran back to the house.
Chris chuckled. "She is doing well, Miss Martha. Thank you, Melanie will love it. Here, for your trouble." Chris gave Martha a silver guinea coin.
Martha objected. "This is way too much, Chris. I can't." She held out the coin for Chris to take back.
Chris gently closed Martha's hand around the coin. "I am insulted if you don't. Miss Martha, use it for her. She is much better with the Doctor's care. For Elizabeth, please."
Martha quickly swiped her eyes. "Thank you, Chris. Yes, she is… because of you. Have fun with the little ones. Tell Lady Mayfield she can send the boys down for the linens after lunch."
"I will. Take care, and thank you." Chris tipped his hat to the washerwoman as if she were one of the grand lady's.
Adam also tipped his hat. "Lovely to meet you and Miss Elizabeth." He turned and followed Chris back through the gate. They mounted their horses and rode on to the orphanage.
"I'm… Elizabeth. I think it is nice that her mother didn't… well… have her locked away." Adam spoke softly in a tone of deep thought.
Chris looked at Adam. "Martha vowed to treat Elizabeth like normal. With a Doctor's care, her medical problems are much better. Elizabeth can do anything she wants. Children shouldn't be hidden or locked away just because they are a bit… different." He spoke firmly as they turned on to the road that led to the orphanage.
On the top of a small rise, a great manor house came into view. It looked like the home of a grand old Duke instead of an orphanage. The lawns were beautifully tended as were the box hedges that "fenced" the property. The distant sound of a bell rang out. Children's laughter could be heard.
"Ah, the school bell. Time for their morning break. The house belongs to Lady Prudence Mayfield, daughter of the late Duke of Mayfield. She turned the house into an orphanage, complete with a school. She never married, says she hasn't found anyone, man or woman who could keep up with her. She loves the children like they were her own. She never lets any child be adopted without checking the family. She even goes to stay with them for a few days. Pru is a wonderful lady. Oh, and she is like me, class does not matter. So… don't be a footman; just be Adam." By the time Chris finished they had arrived. A groom in full formal livery came out to meet them.
"Thank you, James. We will be here till the usual time. Peppermint can share with mine, they are stablemates." Chris spoke as he held Peppermint so Adam could dismount.
"Yes, Mister Chris." James the groom led Highflyer and Peppermint to the stables in the back.
Chris frowned. "The Doctor is here. I hope none of the children are seriously ill."
As they got to the door, it opened. "Oh hello, Christopher." An older man spoke with a smile.
"Hello, Doctor Foster. Nothing serious, I hope. This is my friend, Adam Copeland. Adam, please to meet Doctor Foster." Chris made the introduction as he removed his hat.
Doctor Foster smiled. "Pleased to meet you Adam. No, nothing serious. Little Melanie tripped and fell, turned her ankle. It's not broken, but she is in the bed with it on ice. You can help cheer her up. Pru is with her, go on in. I've got to run, more calls to make." He hurried off to his waiting buggy.
"Come on, we can cheer Melanie up with this." Chris held up the paper package.
Adam looked in wonder as Chris led him upstairs. The house was as beautiful inside as it was outside. You would never guess it was a refuge for orphaned children.
Chris stopped at the first room on the left. He knocked lightly on the door. "Come in, Chris." A lady's voice called out.
Chris opened the door. The bedroom was fit for the daughter of a Duke. A lovely woman of around forty sat on the side of the bed. A little girl lay in the bed and cried.
Chris led Adam to the bed. "Hello, Prudence. This is is my friend I told you about. Adam, please meet Lady Prudence Mayfield. Pru, Adam Copeland. And this sad little thing is Melanie." Chris gave Prudence a kiss on the cheek.
"Good to see you, dear. Adam, my pleasure. Welcome to my home. Little Miss here turned her ankle. Why don't you talk to her. I need to run see to things at the school. You know the place." Prudence got up to leave.
"Nice to meet you ma'am." Adam resisted the urge to bow like the footman he was. Prudence gave him a pat on the shoulder and hurried off.
"Uncle Chris, my foot hurted." Melanie sniffed as Chris sat on the side of her bed.
Chris caressed Melanie's brow. "It will feel better soon, sweetheart. This ice will help. Melanie, meet my friend. His name is Adam. Adam this is Melanie."
Melanie was a pretty little girl of six. She had long, black wavy hair, and crystal blue eyes.
Adam went around and sat on the other side of the bed. "I am happy to meet you, Melanie. His Lo… er… Chris has told me about you. I am so sorry you hurt your ankle. I twisted mine once, when I was little. But see, I am just fine now." He lifted his leg to show that his foot was perfectly fine.
Adam's actions made Melanie laugh. "He's silly, Uncle Chris. Uncle Chris, what's dat?" Melanie looked at the paper and twine wrapped package in Chris' hand.
Chris looked at the package. "What, this? I don't know. Adam, do you know what this is?"
Adam gave a shrug. "I have no idea. It is probably fuel for the fire. Shall I toss it on?" He looked over at the small fire that burned in the fireplace. It was May, but the old house was chilly, and the fire was just enough.
Chris nodded. "Yes, you're probably right. I mean, Melanie wouldn't want to open it. She's too sad. So here, toss it onto the fire."
"No, Uncle Chris! I wanna open it. It might not be for the fire. Let me open it first, please?" Melanie held out her hands for the paper package.
Adam laughed. "Oh well, let her open it. We wouldn't want to burn something we shouldn't. It might make too much smoke." He tickled Melanie's chin gently.
"Well, alright. Here you go, sweetheart. I hope you like it." Chris handed the little girl the package.
Melanie untied the twine bow and removed the string. She removed the dress from its paper wrapping. When she held up the beautifully made yellow dress, she let out a delightful cry of joy.
"It's pwetty, Uncle Chris. Thank you!" Melanie sat up in the bed and hugged Chris tight.
When Adam saw the emotion well up in Lord Christopher's face, it touched his own soul deeply. He knew then, Chris was not an ordinary member of the gentry. One that only cared about having a good time… doing absolutely nothing. Chris cared about people, from the lowest to the grandest. He really cared, and it was not for show. It was out of love. A tiny, tiny part of him dared to hope.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. You can wear it when you get visitors. You will look like a princess." Chris smiled as he helped Melanie lay back on the bed.
"Would you like me to hang it up for you, to keep it pretty?" Adam asked with another caress to the little girl's cheek.
Melanie nodded. "Yes please, Adam. Where I can see it? Over there." She pointed to the wardrobe that stood against the wall. It was made of dark walnut, like the bed and other furniture.
"As you wish, Mistress Melanie." Adam took the dress. He found a hanger of cedar wood that had padding wrapped around it. Adam neatly hung the dress on the hanger. He turned the hook so it could hang on the door of the wardrobe. Melanie could see the yellow dress from the bed.
"Thank you, Uncle Adam. Come sit with me again please. My foot still hurted." Melanie decided Adam was also an uncle as she patted the bed.
"Oh ho! Uncle Adam now is it? Does that mean I'm no longer Uncle Chris? Oh well, that's what happens. Girls will always break your heart." Chris was over dramatic as he spoke.
Melanie laughed. "You're still Uncle Chris. I can have more than one. I won't break your heart, Uncle Chris. I pwamis."
"That is a relief. I thought I lost my best girl. So tell me, what were you doing when you turned your ankle, sweetheart?" Chris asked with a caress to her brow.
"We were going down to breakfast. It was eggs with cheese, my favorite. I swipped on the steps. Miss Pru said my foot gotted stuck in the rail. Doc Foster said I was lucky, I could of busted my leg." Melanie explained. All she really remembered was falling then her ankle hurting.
"You probably got so excited, you didn't pay attention. Next time, you walk down the stairs like a lady. The food won't go anywhere. You are very lucky that you didn't break your leg." Chris spoke more sternly, like a father would.
"I will be slower next time. Uncle Adam, how did you hurted your foot? Were you late for breakfast?" Melanie asked with a child's wonder.
Adam laughed. "No, I wasn't late for breakfast. It was running away from my brother, in a park. My foot went into a gopher hole. I couldn't walk for three days. But after that, I was good as new." He wiggled his foot again to prove his point.
Melanie giggled. "Uncle Chris, I am hungry. I didn't get my breakfast cause of my hurted foot." She went from laughter to sadness.
Adam looked over at Chris. "We can't have that… Uncle Chris. Maybe you could find the little Mistress some breakfast. I can tell her a story while you're gone." He felt a bit strange, speaking so freely to his Lordship, but Adam did it.
"Oh pweese, Uncle Chris. I am truly hungry. It will make my hurted foot feel better." Melanie looked at Chris in the way only a child could do.
Chris gave the little girl a gentle caress to the cheek. "I will be back. Uncle Adam tells wonderful stories…" Chris then looked at the Footman. "I will be back. It might take a bit." He gave Adam a bright smile.
"We will be just fine. I will tell her the story of Briar Rose." Adam gave Chris a nod of confidence.
Chris got up, he smiled at Adam began the story. He headed off to the kitchen. Melanie needed to have her eggs with cheese. He shook his head, the things children liked to eat.
Two hours later, Melanie was well fed and sound asleep. Lady Prudence sent one of the maids to sit with Melanie, so Chris could visit with the other children. They all loved their Uncle Chris.
Chris took Adam to what in a normal home, would have been the drawing room. Lady Prudence had turned her drawing room into a play room for the children who lived there.
When Chris and Adam walked into the room, several children ran up to them. "Uncle Chris!" the little voice called out. Adam counted ten children, six girls, four boys. They were of all ages from three to maybe ten. A few of the children looked like they came from homes of mixed races, and was probably why no one wanted them. It made Adam very sad to think people could be so cruel, especially to children.
"Hello my little ladies and gentlemen. This is my good friend. You can call him Uncle Adam. Adam, these are more of my little friends." Chris smiled and hugged several children at once.
"Hello, my dears." Adam laughed several children tried to hug him at once.
One little boy of slightly darker skin, who looked to be the oldest, took Chris by the hand. "Come look at my new drawing. Those pencils you gave me made all the difference." He led Chris to a small desk, under a large window. The desk looked like it belonged to an artist.
The boy, named Tommy Jones, picked up the drawing he worked on. It was a drawing of Chris, riding Highflyer over a jump on a hunt. It looked more like a photograph than a drawing.
Chris held the drawing with a bit of reverence. "Tommy, this is wonderful. Now let's see what you can do with these." Chris pulled a small wooden box out his pocket and handed it to Tommy.
Tommy took the box and opened it. "Oh, Uncle Chris! Oil pastels! Thank you! Thank you, very much!" The eleven year old hugged Chris for all he was worth.
Chris beamed at the young artist. "You're very welcome, Tommy. Put them to good use. Do a few more drawings and I will have a nice portfolio to show the art school. Adam, come here, look at this." Chris called out to the blond.
Adam had sat down to a doll's tea party with a few of the little girls. "I will be right back. By then, my tea will be cool enough to drink." He got up and went over to where Chris stood and held a paper.
"Adam, this is Tommy. He is the resident Artist here. Take a look at this." Chris held up the drawing for Adam to look at.
Adam looked at the beautiful drawing. "It's you and Highflyer. Tommy, this is very good. This could hang in a fine gallery."
Tommy smiled. "Thank you. I hope so, one day. Uncle Chris is going to take a portfolio of my work to an art school. If I am good enough, they may let me have a scholarship. Look at what Uncle Chris gave me today. Now I can add color! I am going to get started!" He took the drawing from Chris and sat down. Tommy began to add color to the picture.
"Uncle Adam, the tea is cooled." One of the little girls called out to Adam with a wave for him to come back to the party.
"I will be right there. Come have tea with us, Uncle Chris." Adam laughed as he led Chris, by the hand, to the other corner where the doll's tea party took place.
Chris loved the feeling of Adam's hand in his. He also knew Adam wasn't aware of what he'd done. Chris wasn't about to let go. When they got to the tea party, the Lord and Footman sat on the floor.
Lady Prudence came into the room. All the children cried out "hello" to her. She smiled and hugged them as they hugged her.
When Lady Prudence came over to the tea party, Chris and Adam started to stand. She stopped them placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Prudence then sat on the floor herself.
"How about a cup of that tea. It smells very good. Do we have any cakes?" Lady Prudence didn't care, that she, a grand Lady sat on the floor and drank pretend tea. It made Adam admire her even more. Lady Prudence Mayfield was no ordinary lady.
Lady Prudence sipped her pretend tea. "Mary, you make excellent tea and Victoria, your tea cakes are scrumptious. Don't you think so, gentlemen?"
"I agree completely." Chris too took a "sip" of his pretend tea. It made Mary laugh.
Adam smiled. "These taste better than my mother's, and that is saying something." He pretended to bite into the invisible cake.
After the tea party, two young maids come into the playroom. Chris and Adam helped Lady Prudence to her feet.
"Alright, my little darlings. Time for naps. You can play again later." Prudence spoke with love filled yet parental authority.
"If you all behave, after lunch, Uncle Adam will tell you a wonderful story about a girl named Cinderella." Chris hugged Victoria as he spoke. Like most children, they did not like nap time.
Adam caught on. "Yes, I will. But I only tell stories to well rested boys and girls. No naps, no story." He held Mary in his arms and hugged her.
"We go sleep. I want a 'tory." Mary spoke through a yawn. One of the maids took Mary from Adam.
When the children were gone, only Tommy remained. He was too old for nap time. He was lost in his artwork. Tommy added color like a master.
Lady Prudence spoke to Tommy. "Not too much longer, dear. You need to go outside for a while. Clear your mind with fresh air."
Tommy looked at Lady Prudence. "Yes, ma'am. Uncle Chris, could I go look at Highflyer? I want the color right. Buckskin is hard to do."
"Of course you can, Tommy. Tell the groom I said it was alright. Just remember, he can bite." Chris gave Tommy a wink.
"Thank you. I will. I will go now." Tommy picked up his drawing and his new box of oil pastels. He hurried out to go to the stables.
Lady Prudence laughed. "Well, at least he is getting fresh air. Come, let's go have some real tea, while things are quiet."
Lady Prudence led Chris and Adam into the morning room of the house. It was one of the few rooms she kept children out of. The room was bright and airy. The large leather sofa had a leopard skin draped over the back. All the furniture was of fine, clear mahogany.
Across from the leather sofa, were two sitting chairs. A long, low table sat in front of the sofa and chairs. End tables with gas lamps helped brighten the room in the evenings. The last thing was the desk, behind the couch, where Lady Prudence did all her work concerning the orphanage.
"Sit down, gentlemen. I will ring for tea." Lady Prudence pulled a gold silken cord rope by the fire place. Adam knew it rang a bell, alerting the staff they were wanted in the morning room.
Chris indicated for Adam to sit in one of the chairs as he sat in the other. It was very strange for Adam to be on this end of things.
Chris could sense Adam's unease. He leaned over to whisper to the blond. "Relax, it is alright. You are doing fine." He gave Adam a smile of encouragement.
Adam smiled but couldn't respond as Lady Prudence had sat down on the couch. "Tea is on the way. Adam, it is good to have you here. Chris has told me about you. It is alright, I do know you aren't used to this. Tell me, dear, you're a servant in the McMahon house, aren't you? And no, Christopher never said. He only ever said you were a friend." Lady Prudence gave Adam a very friendly look. It didn't matter to her.
Chris laughed. "I should have known you would know." He gave Adam a shrug.
Adam's face flushed. "Yes, Milady. I am the Footman in Lord Christopher's house. I am sorry, I will be happy to have my tea in the servant's hall." He started to get up. He didn't want to bring any shame to Duke McMahon.
"My dear, Adam. Set yourself back down. You are guest in my home. You are Chris' friend, and that is all I care about. We English are too caught up in the classes of this world. The children already adore you, that tells me all I need to know about you. So while you are in my house, you are Uncle Adam, Chris' friend, and that's it." Lady Prudence spoke firmly, but with a huge smile.
"Thank you, ma'am. I do love the children, all children. It makes me sad to see so many here… because of… well… their skin." Adam smiled, then frowned, it did make him sad.
"I have to be honest. A lot of the children are here because of people of my class. The gentlemen have affairs, with low women or men, then the children pay because neither parent wants them. One because of shame, the other because they can't afford it. I find those that don't care about such things, then I make sure. If they pass all my expectations, I place the child. So far, it has worked out. Those like Tommy, who are older get help. Some like him, have a talent, so we try to develop it. Some may become shop owners, workers or servants. But, whatever they do, they will be the best. I will never give up on my children." Lady Prudence again spoke firmly.
The conversation was interrupted when the Butler brought in the tea. He left the tray and Lady Prudence poured. She served Chris and Adam then herself. After a few sips, Adam spoke.
"You are a wonderful lady. The children are lucky to have you. I hope I will have the chance to come again. I can't wait to tell the children a story later." Adam spoke then sipped his tea.
"I will make sure you can come again. After all, I do need a bodyguard." Chris gave Adam a wink.
Lady Prudence smiled. "Well, of course, you do. So Adam tell me a bit about your work."
Adam looked at the grand Lady. "I am the Footman, and I also Valet to Lords Roman and Seth. My mother is the Cook and my brother is the Coachman. My mother started with the elder Duke. She followed Duke McMahon to London. We were lucky, many families don't get to stay together. I love my work. I take a great pride in helping." He stopped before he said too much.
"Father knew you mother wouldn't leave without you and Jason. He wanted the best Cook in London. He also knew a family would be more… stable. It is hard for a lot of houses to keep servants more than a year. That makes things difficult. Anyway, enough of that. Adam is just Adam, my friend." Chris explained then dropped it. He wanted Adam to be comfortable, especially for the children later.
Lady Prudence picked up on what Chris wanted. "Little Melanie is very lucky. She could have broken her leg. Remind me to have more ice sent up to her."
"She's even more lucky she didn't break her neck. Falling downstairs is dangerous." Adam spoke thoughtfully, as he finished his cup of tea.
"Very true. The Hart's had a relative that fell down some stairs and died, many years ago. Melanie is lucky." Chris too finished his tea.
The Butler came back into the room. "Luncheon is ready, Milady. Will you be joining the children?" He picked up the service.
Lady Prudence stood. "Yes, we will. Thank you, Morrison. Gentlemen, if you please."
Chris and Adam followed Prudence to the dining room. Adam was amazed. Thirty-five children sat at the huge table like ladies and gentlemen. Adam sat between Mary and Victoria and Chris sat next to Tommy. Lady Prudence sat at the head of the table.
"Bow your heads…" Prudence gave a short blessing. "… Amen." Was chorused.
The servants brought out plates of Shepherd's Pie. It was an easy meal to feed a lot of people. There was also spinach and a salad of tomatoes. There was milk to drink.
Adam was again amazed at how politely the children behaved. Older ones helped younger ones dish things onto their plates. They spoke, but quietly. He was so enchanted, Adam almost forgot to eat his own food.
Chris was in a deep conversation with Tommy about the art school. Lady Prudence spoke to a little girl about a problem with her school lesson.
Adam was soon drawn into a conversation with Mary about dolls and dresses. Victoria chimed in as well. It was delightful.
When dessert was brought in, Adam was amazed for a third time. There were three kinds of layer cake brought in. Chocolate, lemon and cherry. Adam chose the cherry. While it was very good, his mother's was better.
After lunch, the children left in an orderly fashion. The school children returned to their lessons. The ten or so smaller children went back to the play room.
Chris and Adam stopped to see Melanie. The little girl had finished her lunch. She smiled when Chris and Adam came into the room.
The maid with Melanie stood. "I will be right back, you need more ice."
Melanie frowned. "My foots frozed."
Adam sat on the bed. "That keeps it from hurting. Say, I have an idea."
